TNT KaTropa is bringing in a former PBA Best Import, one who played for a rival company.
Team manager Virgil Villavicencio bared yesterday that Denzel Bowles, who starred for the B-Meg Llamados and captured the Best Import award in 2012, has signed to play for the KaTropa in the Commissioner’s Cup.
“It’s a done deal,” said Villavicencio when contacted by Bulletin-Tempo.
The TNT official said they expect Bowles to arrive Monday in time for the team’s resumption of their practice session for the import-flavored conference set to unfold March 17.
“But it depends on him; his (plane) ticket is already available,” Villavicencio said.
B-Meg has since changed its team name to the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers, and now the Purefoods Star Hotshots – a team owned by San Miguel Corporation, a rival of Manny V. Pangilinan-owned teams TNT, NLEX, and Meralco.
Bowles is best known for helping San Mig Coffee win the Commissioner’s Cup back in 2012.
Their opponent? TNT, ironically.
Bowles and his team defeated TNT in overtime of Game 7, 90-84, with the import – in tears – delivering the decisive baskets from the free throw line which drew an emotional embrace from team manager Alvin Patrimonio.
The former Texas A&M and James Madison standout played for the Hotshots a few more times, including in the Commissioner’s Cup last season. His stints, however, ended in disappointment as the team failed to make in back to the finals.
Bowles, 27, is fresh from his suiting up with the Lebanese team Al Mouttahed. Villavicencio cautioned though that they would know the exact condition of Bowles only after the team starts practicing as they prepare for the second conference.
Bowles has PBA averages of 26.27 points, 13.36 rebounds, three assists and 2.12 shot blocks.
TNT is the third PBA squad to confirm a reinforcement for the Commissioner’s Cup as NLEX signed Wayne Chism, another former Best Import winner following his stint with Rain or Shine, Jarrid Famous for Phoenix and Alex Stepheson for Meralco.
Chism will be reunited with former RoS coach Yeng Guiao with the Road Warriors.
